1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph.
- This play takes place from 1981-1984 in New York City. The main character is Ned Weeks, who starts and then is the co-president of a non-profit organization that works to gain support for research of AIDS/HIV in order to help stop the spread of it throughout the gay community. Another important character in this play include Ned's brother, Ben, who essentially forced Ned into therapy to be treated for his homosexuality as a mental illness. Throughout the play, Ned works with his organization, deals with a constrained relationship with his brother, and finds a partner which he never saw himself doing.
2. What is the intrusion?
- When Felix shows Ned the spot on his foot, the intrusion is brought about. This shifts the plot from Ned's acquaintances dying to someone he is very close to and even in love with. Upon Felix learning that he is ultimately going to die, he goes to Ben, Ned's brother, to help him write his will. Felix's meeting with Ben helps the brothers' relationship in the end.
3. What is the unique factor?
- This is the day that Ned goes to see Dr. Brookner and learns of how fast the disease is spreading and becomes inspired to start the organization.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
- The main question throughout the play is whether or not the group of men will get the support that they need from their group in the city and make the people of New York listen to what they have to say in order to educate the community about the AIDS epidemic.
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
- An exposition that everyone (within the group) knows is that an unknown disease is spreading throughout the city and killing gay men. A second type of exposition that not everyone in the story knows is the story Bruce eventually tells of how he handled Albert's dying and his journey to help Albert see his mother one last time.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
- Personally, I thought on of the most theatrical moments was the argument between Ned and Ben, where it is revealed that Ben sent Ned to therapy because he thought something was mentally wrong with Ned since he's gay. This is a very powerful scene because the two brothers seem to be so close and full of love, however, this one barrier almost ruins their relationship. In the end, there is a resolution between the two but the argument seems to have been a reality check for Ned who believes the two brothers are the same.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
- Some themes I noticed in this play were: stigmas against gay men/ homosexuality, biological v chosen families, personal identity, and relationships.
8. What does Ned want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of his getting what he wants?
- Throughout the play, a constant want that Ned has is spreading awareness to the city about the new disease and getting resources to help the gay community overcome it. Many things get in the way of the want, however, such as in the beginning Ned's brother avoids taking on the group as a pro bono charity case and tries to convince Ned that it would have to be approved (me v another individual). Ned soon learns after going to the head of the group who handles those types of cases, that it did not have to be approved. Another obstacle that gets in the way in people of the city refusing to acknowledge the disease (me v society). Ned also tries to get the mayor and other influential figures of the city to recognize what is happening but cannot get their attention (me v a group). He also wants to be with Felix, his love that he came to know too late, but cannot as Felix also gets sick and eventually dies. From Ned's point of view, this was a situation where he "lost so much time" and did not get the love he deserved (me v fate).
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
- The most prominent image throughout the play is the purple spots that show up on the men who contract AIDS. The spots are the main sign that help identify the disease and seen to be a sign that it is the beginning of the end. They are also a parallel to the Bible's lepers who were outcast by society much like the gay men in the story are. Another possible image is that of Dr. Brookner and her wheelchair. She is the one who educates Ned and ultimately inspires him to start the organization. Her bravery and brutal honestly seems to be something that no one else has when it comes to talking about the disease which is important to the plot of the play.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
- Family in this play is more focused on the relationship between the group and the community. Although family is obviously seen in the sense that Ned and Ben are blood related and eventually overcome their strained relationship throughout the play, family is more so seen in the love and unconditional support that the men in the Gay Men's Health Crisis organization have for each other in the epidemic.
1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph.
- This play takes place from 1981-1984 in New York City. The main character is Ned Weeks, who starts and then is the co-president of a non-profit organization that works to gain support for research of AIDS/HIV in order to help stop the spread of it throughout the gay community. Another important character in this play include Ned's brother, Ben, who essentially forced Ned into therapy to be treated for his homosexuality as a mental illness. Throughout the play, Ned works with his organization, deals with a constrained relationship with his brother, and finds a partner which he never saw himself doing.
2. What is the intrusion?
- When Felix shows Ned the spot on his foot, the intrusion is brought about. This shifts the plot from Ned's acquaintances dying to someone he is very close to and even in love with. Upon Felix learning that he is ultimately going to die, he goes to Ben, Ned's brother, to help him write his will. Felix's meeting with Ben helps the brothers' relationship in the end.
3. What is the unique factor?
- This is the day that Ned goes to see Dr. Brookner and learns of how fast the disease is spreading and becomes inspired to start the organization.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
- The main question throughout the play is whether or not the group of men will get the support that they need from their group in the city and make the people of New York listen to what they have to say in order to educate the community about the AIDS epidemic.
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
- An exposition that everyone (within the group) knows is that an unknown disease is spreading throughout the city and killing gay men. A second type of exposition that not everyone in the story knows is the story Bruce eventually tells of how he handled Albert's dying and his journey to help Albert see his mother one last time.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
- Personally, I thought on of the most theatrical moments was the argument between Ned and Ben, where it is revealed that Ben sent Ned to therapy because he thought something was mentally wrong with Ned since he's gay. This is a very powerful scene because the two brothers seem to be so close and full of love, however, this one barrier almost ruins their relationship. In the end, there is a resolution between the two but the argument seems to have been a reality check for Ned who believes the two brothers are the same.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
- Some themes I noticed in this play were: stigmas against gay men/ homosexuality, biological v chosen families, personal identity, and relationships.
8. What does Ned want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of his getting what he wants?
- Throughout the play, a constant want that Ned has is spreading awareness to the city about the new disease and getting resources to help the gay community overcome it. Many things get in the way of the want, however, such as in the beginning Ned's brother avoids taking on the group as a pro bono charity case and tries to convince Ned that it would have to be approved (me v another individual). Ned soon learns after going to the head of the group who handles those types of cases, that it did not have to be approved. Another obstacle that gets in the way in people of the city refusing to acknowledge the disease (me v society). Ned also tries to get the mayor and other influential figures of the city to recognize what is happening but cannot get their attention (me v a group). He also wants to be with Felix, his love that he came to know too late, but cannot as Felix also gets sick and eventually dies. From Ned's point of view, this was a situation where he "lost so much time" and did not get the love he deserved (me v fate).
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
- The most prominent image throughout the play is the purple spots that show up on the men who contract AIDS. The spots are the main sign that help identify the disease and seen to be a sign that it is the beginning of the end. They are also a parallel to the Bible's lepers who were outcast by society much like the gay men in the story are. Another possible image is that of Dr. Brookner and her wheelchair. She is the one who educates Ned and ultimately inspires him to start the organization. Her bravery and brutal honestly seems to be something that no one else has when it comes to talking about the disease which is important to the plot of the play.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
- Family in this play is more focused on the relationship between the group and the community. Although family is obviously seen in the sense that Ned and Ben are blood related and eventually overcome their strained relationship throughout the play, family is more so seen in the love and unconditional support that the men in the Gay Men's Health Crisis organization have for each other in the epidemic.